Thursday, November 24, 2016

While performing patron surveillance
(usually from an elevated stand or a water-level standing or sitting position)
lifeguards watch for and recognize struggling or drowning swimmers, and
swimmers with sudden medical conditions such as a stroke, heart attack, asthma,
diabetes, or seizures. Lifeguards look for swimmers in various categories and
conditions:

Passive drowning victims are inactive in the water, submerged or otherwise.
When a lifeguard sees this kind of swimmer he/she performs an emergency
rescue.

Active drowning victims are taking in water while attempting to stay at the
surface. Lifeguards look for swimmers in this condition by looking for
arms moving or flapping laterally (in an effort to press down on the water
and leverage the head above the water's surface), not necessarily
flailing, with the body vertical and no supporting kick. This behavior is
known as the instinctive drowning response. Lifeguards perform an emergency rescue to
assist this kind of swimmer as their behavior results from being incapable
of more active efforts to survive. They may be less than 20 – 60 seconds
from sinking underwater.

Distressed swimmers
are having trouble swimming, perhaps from fatigue, and may or may not be
calling out for help. Lifeguards usually swim out and help these swimmers
to the side. They may or may not require additional assistance.

Normal swimmers
(Healthy swimmers) are those who do not need any support and can swim on
their own doing intermediate strokes.

Thanks,The Wideman Pool Team

Share and like us at www.Facebook.com/widemanpools

Tweet us at www.twitter.com/widemanpoolsPin us at www.pintrest.com/widemanpools